Implications of income diversification in Irisvale farming community, uMzingwane District, Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe

Abstract

In recent years, peasants in Irisvale have been moving away from agriculture towards other livelihood strategies, chiefly, gold mining. In this study, we used a qualitative approach through a case study design to investigate the implications of diversification among the peasant community in Irisvale, uMzingwane District, Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe. Through purposive sampling, we selected 34 participants and 2 key informants, and we used 3 focus group discussions to collect data from participants, together with key informant interviews. Data that were analysed through thematic analysis reveals that through gold mining, income has improved significantly among ‘mining farmers’ as they can now easily buy cattle, build houses, buy cars, and inputs for farming – something that was not possible before diversification. It was also revealed that gold mining has had negative effects that include shrinking fields, deagrarianisation or neglect of farming, environmental degradation, and a sharp rise in illegal activities (violence, commercial sex work, trade and use of drugs and substances, and the growth of make-shift housing). The researchers then recommend the need to subsidise agricultural inputs to encourage the co-existence of farming and mining, the regularisation of artisanal gold mining, the provision of SRHR services in the area, and improved targeting for children in such communities by the DSD, among other recommendations.